Parish Profile

St. Philip's

Episcopal church

St. Philip’s is a community of Christians who yearn to receive more and more of what God gives. We believe that this provides us with what we need and cannot provide for ourselves, and invites us to be deeply grateful and to share generously what we have been given. We are committed to showing up for one another, that we may remember what it means and what it takes to be God’s people.

Since January 8, 1871, when 20 Episcopalians gathered in Easthampton Town Hall to worship, our parish has been blessed with a dedication to the Episcopal church’s roots tracing back to Jesus and his ministry with his disciples. We embrace scripture, tradition, and reason as we strive to follow the way of Christ. Today our congregation comprises 65 active members. Our average Sunday attendance is between 40 and 50 people. Our youngest member is two years old; our oldest just celebrated her 98th birthday. Some of us are lifelong Episcopalians. Others are new Christians. And many are people in between.

When our priest-in-charge came to us in 2016, it was not clear whether St. Philip’s could or should remain open. Over the past 10 years we have moved out of a “survival” mindset and into one of thriving. Our parish is having an effective impact on the quality of life in Easthampton and is an important contributor to the mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

In the spring of 2024, we partnered with Holy Cow! Consulting. Fifty of us completed the Church Assessment Tool. The results of that survey revealed that St. Philip’s is a healthy, mutually-trusting place where worship, the spiritual life, and reaching out beyond our own walls stood out as our hallmarks. The report described us as a “Magi Church” with the capacity to embrace the next phase of our parish’s mission, life, and ministry.

Long, long ago, Philip, our patron saint, told his friend Nathanael:

“We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth,” to which Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip invited him to “Come and see.” (John 1:45-46)

Can anything good come out of Easthampton, Massachusetts? With God’s help, we believe it can – and already does. We invite you to “Come and See.”

the area/our location

Easthampton

For 125 years, our church has been located on Main Street, Easthampton, a city of 16,000+ residents nestled at the base of Mt. Tom in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts. Founded in 1871, the congregation first worshiped in several places in the city before finally purchasing our present location in 1899. That property included not only the building that is now our parish hall but also a large house that served as the rectory after the church was built in 1901. The rectory was sold in 1999, completely dismantled, and rebuilt in a nearby town by its new owner. A much-needed parking lot now occupies that space.

St. Philip’s has been part of Easthampton’s history as the city has evolved from a rural farming village to a flourishing mill town, and now to a vibrant and diverse community with a wealth of artists, retail shops, award-winning restaurants, and numerous recreational opportunities.

We are part of the Five College area in Hampshire County. Our community’s commitment to the education of children and young people is comprehensive and strong. The public schools include Easthampton High and Mountain View (serving 1400 students, pre-K to Grade 12) and Hilltown Cooperative Charter School (Grades K – 8). In addition, two independent schools are located here: The Williston Northampton School (Grades 7-12, founded in 1841), and Neari School, a special education school serving 50 elementary, middle, and high school students from all parts of the region. Six childcare centers and three dance schools also are found here.

Numerous organizations and locations in Easthampton contribute to the city’s overall quality of life:

Easthampton Community Center distributes food, clothes and household goods.
Council on Aging Enrichment Center offers programming for seniors.
The Easthampton Housing Authority, The Treehouse Community, and the Lathrop Community all provide specialized housing options.
One Cottage Street is the site of numerous artist studios, as well as Riverside Industries serving people with disabilities.
City Space is a cultural hub for visual artists and musicians and is being renovated to become a venue for larger music and theater performances.
Millside Park is an outdoor venue for outdoor concerts and events.
Easthampton Community Gardens offers public garden plots for residents.
Nonotuck Park, Nashawannuck Pond, the Manhan Rail Trail, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, the Pascommuck Conservation Trust, and the Mt. Tom State Reservation provide numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Other churches in or near Easthampton include Our Lady of the Valley (Roman Catholic), Easthampton Congregational Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Christ United Methodist Church, and God is Love (non-denominational Christian congregation).
The Easthampton Public Library, the town’s youth sports programs, the farmers’ market, and the Veteran’s Council add vitality to these community resources.
Oh! And all parking in the city is free!